Front Runner – Devi Raja

20 Nov Front Runner – Devi Raja

Front Runners are exceptional individuals who run for the cause of educating children at Bhumi.

Every stride they take helps Bhumi support the children with their literacy, numeracy and life skills.

Thank you, Front Runners – for taking us forward in this journey of Change.

Tell us a little about yourself!

I am Devi Raja, aged 43; a home maker and a mother of 2 children aged 18(son) and 12(daughter). In short, I am a fitness freak.

What made you take up running?

As a health-conscious person, I’ve been into some form of fitness for a long time. I do yoga and walk regularly; Prior to that, I also worked out at the gym for about 2 years and learnt swimming, which I’ve been practising for a while. I get bored very easily with workouts and tend to shift from one activity to another. That’s how in the year 2014, I took up running after I met a runner friend of mine.

What does running mean to you?

While initially I took up running as another form of fitness, it has now turned into a passion for me over the past years and I would say running is an addiction – a healthy addiction.

What is the source of your inspiration? What keeps you motivated to continue running?

One of my friends, Ms. Ranjini Gupta, a homemaker-turned-elite-runner lives in Bangalore. The initial trigger of inspiration for me were her phenomenal achievements. Post that, many of my friends from my running group as well as other running groups inspired me to improve my timing and get better. Every runner I meet; every person I meet while running continues to motivate me.

Do you think running should be associated with a cause? Why?

Primarily, runners run with their own fitness in mind. However, apart from this, we do run for causes by paying and registering in running events to extend a minuscule of support from our side.

How do you associate Bhumi with the cause that you believe in?

I’m aware that team Bhumi puts genuine effort in providing literacy to the under-privileged children. Hence, I would also like to support that cause.